17th Maine Infantry - Wounded at orange Grove, VA

Item LTR-7045

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 2 pages written in period ink.


Army of the Potomac
Camp Sickles, Va. Tuesday, Apr 14th/63

Dear Father.

I will write a few lines to you this morning in rather a hurry to let you know that I am well and in good spirits, and that we are going to leave here, I suppose, tonight. The cavalry and artillery started yesterday. We are ordered to be ready with eight days’ rations. We are all in a hurry this forenoon, packing up and getting ready for a start, but I thought that I could not go with[out] informing my folks that I must go. If we do go, it all probability we shall see some fighting, although our Corps is held in reserve. But as far as we can find out, the Rebs are quite plenty on this side of the river. We have got plenty of clothing to start with. The most of us have to turn in some to the quartermaster.

I suppose Gen. Hooker is going to do something now. I feel a sort of dread about going into battle, but if I must go, I feel determined to do my duty as near as I can and trust in our great and heavenly father, who can take care of us in battle among the whistle of bullets and shells, just as well as at our quiet homes in Maine. I hate to leave our good quarters and go and sleep on the cold ground or anywhere we can, and have to live on salt pork and hard bread, week in and week out, without any change. But we have done it and I suppose we can again.

But I will close. Write as often as you can.

From your affectionate son,
Geo. W. Doughty